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I am a scientist. Today, I am compelled to write on behalf of my fellow Canadian scientists who cannot speak. The word science comes from the Latin word “scientia” for knowledge. Knowledge is critical for a properly functioning society. With knowledge comes the ability to make informed decisions. With knowledge, businesses are better positioned to take opportunities and avoid risks. With knowledge, society can better plan for the future. Purposefully withholding knowledge from others when that knowledge is relevant to their decision-making is, in my mind, unjust.

A report released this week from Evidence for Democracy graded the communication policies for scientists working at 16 federal government departments and agencies. Four received a failing grade, and only one received a grade above a C. Points were earned for policies that explicitly protect rights to free speech and that protect scientists against political interference when communicating science.

All departments except one (the Department of National Defence) require pre-approval before a scientist can speak with the media. In practice, Departments vary in how often they grant such requests and whether they do so in a timely manner. Only one specifically protects the right of employees to voice their personal point of view (the National Research Council), as long as a statement is made that “the views set forth are the employee’s personally held opinions, not those of the organization.”

Overall, we earned only a 55-per-cent grade, on average, for the openness of communication policies for federal scientists here in Canada. Compare that with the U.S., where the average grade using the same methods was 74 per cent in 2013.

There have already been several well-documented examples of scientists prevented from speaking to the media:

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Scott Dalimore, a geoscientist at Natural Resources Canada, was prevented from doing media interviews about his research on a 13,000-year-old flood.

Kristi Miller, a scientist at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, was prevented from publicly discussing work she published on salmon.

David Tarasick, an environmental scientist at Environment Canada, was prevented from speaking publicly about his research on the ozone layer.

And these cases are likely only the tip of the iceberg.

A recent survey was conducted by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, a union representing scientists in 40 federal departments. It found 90 per cent of scientists felt that they cannot speak freely to the media about the work they do.

Scientist colleagues who work for the Canadian government have asked me to speak for them, because they cannot speak freely to the media. I have been told, in confidence, about important results being held up from publication in scientific journals, waiting for approval, about missed opportunities to inform the public about research, and about cases where scientists were asked not to publish, chillingly because “we want the public to forget” about this issue.

Knowledge is power, and withholding knowledge is crippling. We must do better in Canada to support science communication. It makes no sense to have research paid for by taxpayer dollars inaccessible to taxpayers.

The report released this week pointed to several things some departments do well, and recommended other departments do the same:

“Make it explicit that scientists can speak freely about their research.”

“Give scientists the right to have the final review of the scientific content of media.”

“Include a ‘personal-views exception’ to allow scientists to express their personal opinions in a professional and respectful manner as long as they make clear they are not representing the views of their department.”

In other words, let scientists speak, let them make sure that the facts are straight, and let them at least speak as individuals if they cannot speak for their departments. Let the knowledge out, so we Canadians can act upon it.

Sarah (Sally) Otto is the director of the Biodiversity Research Centre in the Department of Zoology at the University of British Columbia.

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